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General News

3 July, 2024

Skaters treated to a flying lesson in Mount Isa, Normanton

Professional skateboard coach Mat Chigwidden visited five remote communities on the weekend.

By Matt Nicholls

Normanton youths loved the free session on Sunday morning.
Normanton youths loved the free session on Sunday morning.

Mount Isa and Normanton kids were treated to skateboarding lessons on the weekend as part of a whirlwind trip around the state.

Professional skateboard coach Mat Chigwidden and his team flew to five communities on Saturday and Sunday, starting in Longreach and finishing in Lockhart River on the east coast of Cape York.

“It was absolutely amazing. We do a lot of remote trips – more in the southern part of the state – but this was brilliant,” said the man known best as ‘Chiggy’.

Not only did the kids get free skating lessons, they also went home with some swag.

“We took 150 skateboards with us, 60 speakers and a heap of water bottles from Yeti,” the coach said.

“I think we gave away 30 boards at every stop.”

The trips were funded by the five councils, including Mount Isa City Council and Carpentaria Shire Council, while airline Machjet sponsored the plane and pilot.

“It was an insane trip and we hope to do another one like it before the end of the year,” said Chiggy, who also runs an indoor skate park on the Sunshine Coast.

“We cater for all skill levels and all age groups. Even kids who are already capable skaters benefit because they might have picked up bad habits from being self-taught.”

It was a big week for the coach, who also celebrated the Olympic selection of one of his former skate students.

Haylie Powell will represent Australia at the Paris Games later this month.

“She was the first girl I ever coached,” said Chiggy.

“That’s the message we are sending on these trips – if you put in the work and you are passionate about skating there’s a pathway to the Olympics if you pursue it.”

The Mount Isa skate park was a hive of activity on Saturday afternoon as local kids were given free boards and skating lessons.
The Mount Isa skate park was a hive of activity on Saturday afternoon as local kids were given free boards and skating lessons.
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